Air quality in Redlands prompts second day of school closures

UPDATE 09/10/24 - Redlands Unified School District will remain closed for the rest of the week due to ongoing risks from the Line Fire, Superintendent Juan Cabral announced Tuesday. Read more here.

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Redlands Unified School District has closed all schools for students and staff on Tuesday, Sept. 10, due to unhealthy air quality and evacuation warnings in East Highland.

"Please know that the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, as we continue to monitor the situation closely with local emergency services," said Superintendent Juan Cabral in a statement Monday.

Site administrators and district management staff were asked to report to work on Tuesday. All Redlands Unified students and employees are expected to return to school on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The City of Redlands has also canceled all organized outdoor recreation activities through Tuesday.

The Line fire in San Bernardino County has grown to 26,426 acres with only 5% containment on Tuesday morning. The fire is threatening 65,600 structures. Of these, 9,200 are under evacuation orders and 56,400 under evacuation warnings.

Air quality in Redlands, due to the wildfire smoke and ozone pollution from extreme heat was unhealthy Tuesday morning. This rating means that everyone may begin to experience some health effects, including difficulty breathing and throat irritation.

Members of the sensitive groups, such as people with heart disease, pregnant women, children, and older adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, may experience more serious effects and should avoid prolonged time outdoors.

The battle to contain Line Fire intensifies

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom activated the California National Guard to support firefighting efforts against the rapidly spreading Line Fire.

The National Guard deployment includes four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for water drops, two C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, four 20-person hand crews, and a military police company to assist with traffic control in evacuated areas.

"This is on top of nearly 2,000 firefighters, nearly 200 engines, and air assets we already have tackling this fire. California stands with these communities and has their back," Newsom said in a statement Monday.

Firefighters are facing challenging conditions, with a Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Gusty winds and low humidity are expected to intensify fire activity, particularly on the north and east sides of the blaze.

Late Monday, Cal Fire officials were concerned that the fire could reach Big Bear Valley, putting thousands more people in danger in the coming days.

"These thunderstorms have been moving this fire around today," said San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey Monday evening. "The fire is moving northeast, and we're concerned for the citizens of Big Bear."

San Bernardino County Sheriff has issued evacuation warnings for the mountain communities of Big Bear Valley, Green Valley Lake, Cedar Glen, Lake Arrowhead, Twin Peaks, Crestline, and Valley of Enchantment. Officials advised residents needing extra time, including those with pets and livestock, to evacuate immediately.

Evacuation orders have been issued for areas of Running Springs, Arrowbear Lake, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks, and all campgrounds and cabins in the area. Previous evacuation orders remain in place:

• From Calle Del Rio east to Hwy 38 and from Greenspot Road north to the foothills
• The area east of Orchard Road to Cloverhill Drive from Highland Ave north to the foothills
• All undeveloped land east of Hwy 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
• The areas north and east of Highland Avenue and Palm Avenue 

Updates on evacuation orders can be viewed through the San Bernardino County evacuation map.

Updates on the Line fire can be viewed through the U.S. Forest Service.

Officials predict stronger winds Tuesday night, potentially leading to greater fire spread. However, cooler weather expected later in the week may help moderate fire activity.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.